Well differ with you strongly on that. Prior to this run, his best form was probably before the shoulder injury in 2019. He neither was as prolific nor so consistent at causing chaos amongst top defenders.
21
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 44
- Goals
- 8
- Assists
- 3
- Yellow cards
- 8
- Status
I agree 100% on the bolded part. We just differ in how likely it is that Antony will improve on his "big flaws". I say not much. And those flaws are impacting MASSIVELY his decision making (which imo is quite good already).
We can argue if he really got that much better technically, but surely we can agree he was always very fast and had a good shot on him. He still plays high risk high reward game, it just comes off more frequently because he matured a bit in terms of decision making, is less nervous etc.
There's a difference in "he just needs to be more calm in 1on1" vs "he just needs to get faster and work on his weaker foot". The former is likely to come with age, the latter is something you get at young age and not much you can do about it later.
Hmm look I don't think Rashford is just more calm in 1 on 1, but he is also sharper at turning and accelrating which wasn't the case when he wasn't fit. That's where I am hoping some more fitness work for Antony would help really.
And actually develop some sort of legitimate attacking weapon. He has no genuine threat on goal in the form of either top level vision, excellent crossing, a lethal shot or even just terrifying pace in behind. He's just so meh, as an attacker in all of those categories.
What do you mean "when Rashford wasn't fit"? Does Antony look unfit now?
The good work he does is more of a "midfielder" than an "attacker" so I consider him as RM rather than RM.
I am still not convinced if he's a good shooter or an average one, that is basically the only "attacking weapon" he has.
I like him. Doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement, his constant cutting back inside is frustrating at times.
He just needs to be more direct. He's got endless tricks and skills so beating his man isn't an issue but he needs to do it on the outside which leads to natural crossing positions.
I've noticed he has actually tried to go on the outside a couple of times recently so hopefully that's an element of his game that is being worked on.
He just needs to be more direct. He's got endless tricks and skills so beating his man isn't an issue but he needs to do it on the outside which leads to natural crossing positions.
I've noticed he has actually tried to go on the outside a couple of times recently so hopefully that's an element of his game that is being worked on.
Anthony doesn't look unfit per se but he gets outpaced easily by defenders. He seems to actively avoid getting physical with them or taking them on with his acceleration. Hence the safe/back passes etc. While some of it could be his style, it could also help him if he gets into a physique development programme this summer to have better acceleration and strength. Could help his game a lot.
Do any of them involve him not standing stationary with the ball? He can't seem to sell a simple feint/drop of the shoulder.
Flapping your feet around the ball does nothing.
Last edited:
Is this a thing? I mean, isn't that called just "training" that everybody does?
No offense but I think you're coming up with simple solutions to complicated issues.
You're probably right. I think he could be similar to Bernardo Silva, but just a very, very poor version of him.
Just off the top of my head, Depay and Van De Beek were put on special physical regimes to better adapt to the PL. Obviously those two examples don't help my case - haha - but I sure remember there being others as well.
Rashford's been scoring more goals during this current period, but I'd still say his all-round performances were better in 19/20 before the injury. He was so dangerous in basically every aspect, with his dribbling, passing and crossing all being better than what he's shown this season. He was genuinely terrifying defenders on the regular, whereas this season he's actually had a lot of games where he hasn't really played that well but has popped up with a goal. Obviously he's had some games where he's been truly good in all aspects, but not as many IMO.
In saying that, he did have a fit and firing Martial to combine with back then, which is of course very different than trying to do it with Ronaldo or Wout like he's had to do this season. An in-form Martial tends to bring out the best in all our attackers, which is why it's so disappointing that Rashford is injured just as Martial seems to be back. Seeing as this is an Antony thread though, hopefully Antony (and Sancho) can take advantage of his return.
His finishing has been better this season but do you really think he's faster and more two footed than his previous best run of form?
Because these are the things you think Antony can improve with training.
Man Utd 2:2 Sevilla
Dan Jame was more effective.
Good performance.
Thought he had one of his best games for us tonight. He beat his man on a few occasions, released the ball at the right time and was a constant menace right up until he was subbed up. No doubt you'll have the usual suspects on here soon saying that he's never beaten his man before though.
He’s in good form. Face it.
He was really good today.
Strange comment after this performance.
A really excellent performance and was unlucky not to score. Could have changed the game significantly had he done so. For some reason, he looked a lot faster too.
Mostly good, but could've been a bit unselfish, and we could've had a 3rdgoal.
He's never going to score again 
Really really good. He's got enough fight in him to do something positive every game.
Say what you want about him, his defensive contribution is unmatched by any of our other wingers.
He was really good tonight and unlucky with that shot which hit the post. It deserved a goal and would've put the tie to bed. Huge shame.
This is splitting hairs given he had I felt a really good game but if you’ve got 4 people pressing you then somewhere on that pitch are team mates who are free. You’ve got to find that pass.
Next one sure he is capable of bending it in the top corner and he almost did but Sancho and Bruno are wide open in better positions and it’s an easy pass, goals win games and both were in better positions to score.
Next one sure he is capable of bending it in the top corner and he almost did but Sancho and Bruno are wide open in better positions and it’s an easy pass, goals win games and both were in better positions to score.
Thank you there are so many things he does well but his decision making is not the decision making of a team player thats all I can say about him but he got skills.
Yep, he has to make that pass and it happened in the last game too with Rashford. He also delayed that pass very early in the game which caused Sancho's goal to be chalked off.
Wow Im glad someone else saw it like I did. He needs to dribble inside and make the pass we had an overload. But he never looks up and has his mind pretty much set as soon as he got the ball.
Decent game but still not much end product and could have made more with some opportunities in the first half if more direct
Agreed. Antony being a little less selfish could have killed the game for us tonight, more than once.
He is making me angry so fecking often.
Was good.
Excellent performance. One of his best yet.
His decision making can be a bit frustrating but thought he was good tonight and by far our best and most threatening attacker.
He has the talent but is quite raw. Needs to be less selfish and make better decisions. He played well but was not decisive enough. Could have had a couple of assists if he looked up more.
A lot of good, a lot of bad. His finishing isn't good enough to be as selfish as he is.
As soon as he gets in a certain position you know he won't pass no matter how good the alternative. No wonder he's got so few assists.
As soon as he gets in a certain position you know he won't pass no matter how good the alternative. No wonder he's got so few assists.
Our best attacker tonight and keeps moves alive due to his touch and technique when others kill moves.
Hes a good player, hope he gets better next season
- Status